Thematic Categories

The international competition section shows unique and original works of cinema whose creators are not afraid to look at serious subjects in new and creative ways. Their films present important personal...

International Competition

The international competition section shows unique and original works of cinema whose creators are not afraid to look at serious subjects in new and creative ways. Their films present important personal testimonies of war or explore the contemporary issue of migration, but also offer subtler and more intimate portraits of people from various corners of the planet that look at social issues, adolescence, finding one’s place in the world, coming to terms with death, and struggling with one’s own identity.

In the competition category “You Have the Right to Know,” the Václav Havel Jury will judge films that highlight serious human rights violations or that present compelling stories of people...

Right to Know

In the competition category “You Have the Right to Know,” the Václav Havel Jury will judge films that highlight serious human rights violations or that present compelling stories of people who are actively fighting for human rights, whether by defending minority rights or by protesting against authoritarian regimes. One important and unsettling message is that basic human rights are violated not only in the developing world, but also in the heart of Europe.

Czech documentary film has enjoyed several important international successes in recent months. The One World festival will be presenting three world premieres and three domestic premieres of Czech documentaries...

Czech Competition

Czech documentary film has enjoyed several important international successes in recent months. The One World festival will be presenting three world premieres and three domestic premieres of Czech documentaries that have done well at festivals in Amsterdam and Berlin, as well as films that have won awards at home. The filmmakers focus not only on questions faced by people in the Czech Republic, but also look at nearby countries such as Russia of Slovakia.

Europe is considered a politically stable continent, but in recent years the postwar will to cooperate, the level of affluence that we have come to enjoy, and the tendency towards greater democracy have...

Eurodrome

Europe is considered a politically stable continent, but in recent years the postwar will to cooperate, the level of affluence that we have come to enjoy, and the tendency towards greater democracy have been shaken by a rise in populism. After recovering from the international financial crisis, the continent now faces another challenge in the form of mass migration. Will the European public remain unified and overcome all the difficulties that it has faced in recent years?

This year, One World will turn its attention to the United States, where human rights have long been a subject of discussion. A year after Donald Trump’s election as president, it won’t hurt...

Americana

This year, One World will turn its attention to the United States, where human rights have long been a subject of discussion. A year after Donald Trump’s election as president, it won’t hurt to take a short look back. The documentaries in this category will focus not only the change that has happened at the White House, but will also explore the status of African Americans and Native Americans, police issues, and the prison system.

The subject of this category is distance – between continents, between people, and the distance that exists between us and our own selves. The selected films include stories of people defending...

Beyond the Horizon

The subject of this category is distance – between continents, between people, and the distance that exists between us and our own selves. The selected films include stories of people defending their traditional ways of live in an increasingly more complicated world, or they look at abandoned people whom the contemporary world as almost completely forgotten. This series of ethnographically-tinged films takes cinematic travelers on a magical tour of the distant corners of the world.

Whether on the personal or societal level, the subjects of the films in these categories try to use music, film, poetry, or theater to affect change. Their stories present these various forms of art not...

Art for Change

Whether on the personal or societal level, the subjects of the films in these categories try to use music, film, poetry, or theater to affect change. Their stories present these various forms of art not as a path towards self-realization, but as useful instruments for calling attention to human rights violations.

The documentaries in this category look at countries in which the Czech non-profit organization People in Need is active or that have long been the subject of their attention. People in Need’s work...

Journeys to Freedom

The documentaries in this category look at countries in which the Czech non-profit organization People in Need is active or that have long been the subject of their attention. People in Need’s work in these countries involves not just the promotion of human rights, but also the provision of humanitarian and development aid. The presented films show the impact of war in Syria, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka, and also follow people in the Congo, Cambodia, and Moldova as they try to find forge a path towards freedom.

Humankind has still not managed to slow the worsening state of the environment, and the impact of climate change influences our lives more and more. For this reason, One World has made more room for environmental...

UnEarthed

Humankind has still not managed to slow the worsening state of the environment, and the impact of climate change influences our lives more and more. For this reason, One World has made more room for environmental issues by giving them their own category. The films in this category will look at melting glaciers, ocean pollution, and animal extinction, but also at projects that are working to turn around these negative developments.

It may seem that contemporary society is becoming increasingly more uniform, but appearances can be deceiving. The subjects of the films in this section are people who share the will to live and want...

Long Live Life!

It may seem that contemporary society is becoming increasingly more uniform, but appearances can be deceiving. The subjects of the films in this section are people who share the will to live and want to enjoy life on their own terms, whether riding on wooden horses or running an ultramarathon. Several of the featured documentaries focus on senior citizens and their pastimes, through which they pass on their experience and inspiration to younger generations.

Ones and zeros. Over the past two decades a large portion of people’s lives has played out between these two digits. The internet, social networks, and other digital worlds have become a new reality...

One Zero

Ones and zeros. Over the past two decades a large portion of people’s lives has played out between these two digits. The internet, social networks, and other digital worlds have become a new reality in which users change – or, conversely – fortify their identity. This category of films looks at stories of people who have become entangled in the digital web. The sometimes remarkable, sometimes frightening stories point to the complicated conflict between the real and digital worlds. The score: one zero. But who’s winning?

As in the past, Czech audiences will again have a chance to see the most successful documentary films that have won awards at foreign festivals. Thanks to these films, we will visit flashpoints of conflict...

Panorama

As in the past, Czech audiences will again have a chance to see the most successful documentary films that have won awards at foreign festivals. Thanks to these films, we will visit flashpoints of conflict in the Congo and in Kurdish Syria, and look at the lives of people struggling with hidden illnesses, disorders, and their own demons. All the films are original works of cinema that promise a fresh take on their respective subjects.

“Sometimes you don’t even have to understand what your subjects are saying. It’s enough to truly listen to them,” says British director Kim Longinotto, who often films herself...

Kim Longinotto Retrospective

“Sometimes you don’t even have to understand what your subjects are saying. It’s enough to truly listen to them,” says British director Kim Longinotto, who often films herself in countries where you will not get by on English alone. In her observational documentaries, she focuses almost exclusively on stories of strong women who refuse to be told what they should do. Her films have appeared at One World since the festival’s founding, and on our 20th anniversary we will be screening three of them.

One World also keeps young audiences in mind, and so this category shows films intended especially for them. The short dubbed films show children how their peers live in other parts of the world. Their...

One World Interactive

One World also keeps young audiences in mind, and so this category shows films intended especially for them. The short dubbed films show children how their peers live in other parts of the world. Their stories are often inspiring, or they get us thinking about new subjects and to talk about them. The films are shown as part of matinee screenings for schools, and you can watch them at our Screenings for Parents with Children or as part of our relaxed screenings.

For the third time in its history, One World invites its audiences to visit a virtual environment containing documentaries about real people and events. This year, we offer three categories – the...

Docs for Kids

For the third time in its history, One World invites its audiences to visit a virtual environment containing documentaries about real people and events. This year, we offer three categories – the environment, the migration crisis, and distant places and cultures – that for the first time ever can be seen in the same time and place together with other festivalgoers.